Frequently Asked Questions: Toxic Exposure & Burn Pits

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To learn more about other types of military exposures, contact our Toxic Exposure Team at ToxicExposure@veteran-warriors.org, visit our Burn Pit Resources page on this website, check out the status of legislation or benefits under our Current Projects, locate files in our Documents & Downloads, follow Veteran Warriors on Facebook, or visit VA's military exposures homepage. 

Military toxic exposure is when veterans or their families may have been exposed to a range of chemical, physical, and environmental hazards during the veteran's military service. 

Exposure to environmental hazards and other toxic substances during military service include:

• Airborne hazards from burn pits and other sources while serving abroad
• Vaccinations and medical drugs taken during military service
• Contaminated water at military bases from PFAS and other toxins
• Radiation from atomic testing and cleanups.
• And more

Health impacts vary from unexplained chronic multi-symptom illnesses to cancers, birth defects, infertility, and respiratory conditions.  The symptoms and conditions can appear quickly or years after the veteran has left the service.

Veterans are exposed to a wide range of hazards and harmful substances during military service that may, and often do, cause health problems. Through continued research, we are constantly learning more about toxic exposure and how it affects not only the veteran but also the veteran's family and descendants.

Toxic exposure related health concerns include:

Vietnam War - certain cancers and other diseases linked to Agent Orange  

Gulf War - Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses and infectious diseases are medical conditions linked to service during the Gulf War Era (Aug. 2, 1990 to present)  

Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit - research is being conducted on respiratory issues, unexplained shortness of breath, and other health conditions that may be related to airborne hazard exposures in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other areas of the Southwest Asia theater of military operations, open-air combustion of trash and other waste in burn pits was a common practice.  

Radiation Related Diseases - certain cancers linked to ionizing radiation exposure during military service  

Camp Lejeune Water Contamination - and their families living at the base bathed in and ingested tap water that was contaminated with harmful chemicals causing increased risk of multiple diseases including liver cancer, kidney cancer and ALS.

Toxic Embedded Fragments - shrapnel and other metals that remain in the body after injury  

Traumatic Brain Injury - includes a variety of head injuries with loss of consciousness, often caused by explosions among Veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan  

Birth Defects - Certain birth defects in Veterans' biological children and grandchildren associated with military service as a result of a variety of toxins (airborne, injection, ingestion)

Vaccinations & Medications During Service - various health effects of veterans and their biological descendants from certain military vaccinations and medications

Infectious Diseases - currently nine infectious diseases associated with Southwest Asia and Afghanistan military service  

Rabies Disease - transmitted by bite or saliva from an infected warm-blooded animal

Cold Injuries - medical conditions associated with extremely cold temperatures  

Heat Injuries - medical conditions associated by exposure to extremely hot temperatures  

Occupational Hazards Exposures - often come from working with drill exercises, deployment, chemicals, paints, and machinery during service

Agent Orange - research continues and presumptives are being added as the studies conclude; certain cancers and other health problems are recognized as presumptive diseases associated with exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides during military service.

Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit - research is ongoing and presumptives are being added; exposure to smoke from burning toxic materials may cause irritation and burning of eyes or throat, coughing, breathing difficulties, skin itching or rashes. Some of these conditions are temporary and resolve on their own when the exposure ends, whereas others do not resolve and may be terminal. Veterans who were closer to burn pit smoke or were exposed for longer periods of time, may be at greater risk for longer-term health conditions.

Depleted Uranium Follow-up - research is ongoing, but inhaled particles are thought by researches to be cleared from the lungs over several years while fragments may remain for many years. Older studies have shown high exposures to Uranium may affect the kidneys. 

Gulf War -  "chronic multisymptom illness" and "undiagnosed illnesses" are medically unexplained chronic symptoms that can include fatigue, headaches, joint pain, indigestion, insomnia, dizziness, respiratory disorders, and memory problems.  Veterans who served in the Gulf during Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, or Operation New Dawn are eligible for the Gulf War Registry exam.  

Ionizing Radiation - certain cancers related to exposure are recognized as presumptive diseases, including cancers of the bile ducts, bone, brain, breast, colon, esophagus, gall bladder, liver (primary site, but not if cirrhosis or hepatitis B is indicated), lung (including bronchiolo-alveolar cancer), pancreas, pharynx, ovary, salivary gland, small intestine, stomach, thyroid, urinary tract (kidney/renal, pelvis, urinary bladder, and urethra) Leukemia (except chronic lymphocytic leukemia) Lymphomas (except Hodgkin’s disease) Multiple myeloma (cancer of plasma cells), and  following diseases are possibly caused by exposure to ionizing radiation during service:  all cancers, non-malignant thyroid nodular disease Parathyroid adenoma, posterior subcapsular cataracts, tumors of the brain and central nervous system

Toxic Embedded Fragments - research is ongoing, however fragments are potentially harmful with injury at the site of the fragment and metal ions released from the fragment may travel through the bloodstream and affect other parts of the body

 Camp Lejeune -  U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina was established in 1942. In 1982, the Marine Corps discovered specific volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the drinking water provided by two of the eight water treatment plants on base. 

You are eligible to participate in the registry if you were deployed to the Southwest Asia theater of operations any time after August 2, 1990 or Afghanistan or Djibouti on or after September 11, 2001.  

• Regions and countries include: Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Djibouti, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, waters of the Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea, and Red Sea. 

• Operations and campaigns include: Desert Shield and Desert Storm (ODS/S), Iraqi Freedom (OIF), Enduring Freedom (OEF), and New Dawn (OND). You do not have to have been exposed to specific airborne hazards or have related health concerns to participate in the registry.  While these hazards may have been present in other locations or during other time periods, participation in the registry is currently limited to support specific research and public health studies. Even if you are not eligible for the registry, we encourage all Veterans who are concerned that their military service has impacted their health to talk to their health care provider, apply for VA health care, and file a claim for compensation and benefits. You do not have to participate in the registry to receive compensation and benefits or health care from VA.